DeKALB – Seven players from the NIU wrestling team were announced on Tuesday to be on the Mid-American Conference All-Academic team.

Student-athletes must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50% of the contests scheduled or completed in their sport to qualify for the Academic All-MAC Team. First-year students and transfer students in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.

2022-23 NIU Wrestling Academic All-MAC 

• Blake West, RS-Fr., Chemistry for Pre-professional, 3.903

• Hayden Pummel, RS-Fr., Chemistry-Biochemistry, 3.892

• Lucian Brink, Jr., Marketing, 3.831

• Jacob Christensen, So., Kinesiology, 3.762

• Bryce West, Gr., Physical Education Pedagogy, 3.594

• Izzak Olejnik, RS-Sr., Physical Education, 3.298

• Anthony Gibson, RS-Sr., Leadership and Management, 3.207

Blake West, Pummel and Christensen earned a selection in their first year eligible for the award. Huskies such as Gibson and Brink received their first selection as upperclassmen. Bryce West earned his fourth Academic All-MAC selection, while Olejnik got his third academic honor.

“We are proud of the way these guys pursue greatness in their studies; they are students first,” NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig said via NIU Athletics. “Success in the classroom spills over into all their pursuits.